A diamond ring mysteriously disappeared from a Democratic politician’s congressional portrait amid a $5m (£3.7m) fraud investigation into her.
Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick is accused of using stolen disaster relief funds to buy the 3-carat ring worth $109,000 (£81,000) and use the funds for her campaign, which were wrongly overpaid to her family’s healthcare business.
If convicted on all counts, she faces up to 53 years in prison.
Ms Chelfiles-McCormick came under renewed scrutiny on Boxing Day after followers noticed she appeared to be spray-painted with jewels in a profile photo she shared on social media, wishing voters a Merry Christmas.
The original photo is an official portrait of the representative, featuring the ring.
Sheila Cherfelers-McCormick’s ring appears to have been edited from a picture she shared on social media
A spokesman for Ms Cherfilus-McCormick said the editing was done by a member of staff and she had no involvement in the matter.
They told the New York Post: “This action was not directed, approved or authorized by the congresswoman. It was a staff-level decision made by a well-intentioned individual to protect the member’s reputation. It was unauthorized and should not have happened.”
“This photo is the congresswoman’s official 2025 portrait and she has no intention to change or edit it now or in the future.”
In November, Ms. Cherfilus-McCormick was indicted on 15 counts, including theft of government funds, money laundering and illegally giving and receiving campaign contributions from straw donors.
The indictment alleges that her brother, Edwin Cherfilus, requested $50,000 from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for a Covid-19 vaccination contract, but they mistakenly received $5 million and instead of refunding the difference, they allegedly conspired to commit theft.
Mr Cherfilus has also been charged over alleged fraud.
Ms Cherfilus-McCormick speaks to the media after a court hearing on Monday – Terry Renna/Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. all rights reserved
Authorities said the ring was purchased with a cashier’s check in September 2021, about two months after the overpayment.
She pleaded not guilty Monday.
“I just want to make it clear that I am innocent,” Ms. Chelfiles-McCormick said immediately after leaving court. “In no way did I steal funds of any kind. I am committed to the people of Florida and my district.”
Her attorney, David Oscar Markus, who also represents convicted sex trafficker Ghislaine Maxwell, believes the case is politically motivated.
